Heading to the Ami Sect (3)
Respect for the invitation extended only once.
Including Yeon Jeong, if Snow Cloud Seven Fairies charged again, he resolved to swing his hands mercilessly without mercy.
“This... this can't be real. How could someone that young...”
Psssh!
Her sword, called the warrior's second heart, shattered into dust.
In the end, Snow Spirit Sword Yeon Jeong's body and mind completely crumbled.
It was already an unparalleled humiliation to have her sword caught barehanded, but seeing it turn to powder in an instant, she instinctively knew.
The rumors understated him! He's far, far stronger in reality!
Only now did Yeon Jeong and the Snow Cloud Seven Fairies belatedly recognize Hyeon Yucheon's true worth.
They had picked a fight first with the Sapa lord who would conquer the world and survived with all their limbs intact—it wasn't a bad deal.
“Sister, that man is already far beyond our reach. We have no choice but to trust the Sa-tae and leave it to her...”
Even the youngest, Yeon Ji, was gripped by utter defeat and now gazed up at Hyeon Yucheon in awe.
Her hatred had grown because he opposed Biyeon Sinn-i, who was like a benefactor to her, but was it because of his astonishing martial prowess?
Strangely, Yeon Ji found herself continually drawn to Hyeon Yucheon's exceedingly handsome face.
“Amitabha.”
Yeon Jeong quietly recited the Buddhist invocation, then said,
“...I shall guide you to the Sa-tae myself.”
With things as they were, she decided to see through to the end how Hyeon Yucheon would respond.
“Sa-tae, the external guest you invited is arriving soon.”
Serving Yeo Unsa-tae, whose health had recently deteriorated sharply, like a handmaiden was the Ami Sect's second-generation disciple, Yu Hyeon, speaking in a highly tense voice.
“Is that so? They're much later than expected.”
Unlike the tense Yu Hyeon, Yeo Unsa-tae treated her like a friendly grandmother.
“Yes? Oh, yes. Since our sect is in Geumnam's territory, they must have faced many inspections...”
In truth, Yu Hyeon knew the full circumstances of the delay.
She had already received orders from Yeon Jeong, designated as the next sect leader.
Yu Hyeon, take responsibility for attending the Sa-tae and buy time well.
Thus, Yu Hyeon had been assisting Yeo Unsa-tae at her side, making excuses left and right.
But what was this?
“No, it's probably because Yeon Jeong, that child, stepped forward herself.”
Surprisingly, Yeo Unsa-tae seemed to grasp everything.
Flinch!
At that vast insight, Yu Hyeon panicked, still showing her youthful inexperience.
“It's understandable. My judgment must have seemed utterly incomprehensible, as if I were ruining the Ami Sect. However...”
Yeo Unsa-tae continued in a tone full of conviction.
“Yeon Jeong and the Snow Cloud Seven Fairies, swayed by her, must have tasted the Demon Sword Young Master's wrath.”
By rumor, two of the Heaven's Five Venerables had died by his hand, and not only the Nine Great Sects but the Murim Alliance and Seok Family desperately wished him dead.
Just like the days when they resented Demon Sword Ghost Old Man Cheon Baek-sang.
That meant Hyeon Yucheon had inherited everything from the Demon Sword Ghost Old Man and achieved great success at a far younger age.
Then the martial world would once again cower under his gaze, trembling like in the past, and Biyeon Sinn-i knew well the martial world that bowed to the supreme underheaven master of all time.
“Th-that...”
As Yu Hyeon panicked, Yeo Unsa-tae calmly stroked the back of her fair hand.
“I'm not blaming or scolding you.”
Yeo Unsa-tae was resolved.
“It was all my fault.”
Who was it that said?
Regret is always too late, no matter how soon it comes.
Thus, having committed the act, Yeo Unsa-tae poured all efforts into not looking back or regretting.
Under the joint effort of the Heaven's Five Venerables, Murim Alliance, and Seok Family, they had deceived the world that the Demon Sword Ghost Old Man had gone missing.
But even if they fooled everyone in the world, there was one person they couldn't deceive.
That was...
Myself.
Biyeon Sinn-i Yeo Un's conscience kept pricking her relentlessly, impossible to endure, and as time passed, the wound festered, oozing pus.
“Sa-tae! Demon Sword Young Master Hyeon Yucheon, lord of the Demon Sword Sect, has arrived!”
How long had they waited?
Not much time passed before the news of his arrival made Yeo Unsa-tae's heart pound wildly.
Gulp!
Her swallowing was so audible it drowned out offerings to Buddha.
Swish!
Finally, Hyeon Yucheon and his group reached Yeorae Hall, where the Ami Sect leader resided, coming face-to-face with the long-awaited Biyeon Sinn-i Yeo Unsa-tae.
Oh, this can't be!
The moment Biyeon Sinn-i met Hyeon Yucheon's eyes, she experienced something profoundly strange.
Gazing at him, she saw the young image of Demon Sword Ghost Old Man Cheon Baeksang from her own youth overlapping.
But the afterimage faded quickly.
“Welcome, Demon Sword Sect Lord. Thank you for graciously accepting our sudden invitation.”
Biyeon Sinn-i greeted him with remarkable courtesy for someone like her youngest disciple's peer, but Hyeon Yucheon was different.
“While desperately seeking my master's killer, that very enemy invites me—how could I refuse?”
His eyes remained cold and indifferent.
“You insolent bastard!”
Yeon Jeong, who had been silenced in intimidation, flared up at the sight.
“Hey! Be quiet!”
At Yeo Unsa-tae's words—something she hadn't raised her voice for in recent times—Yeon Jeong cowered and retreated.
“So that's why you came so quickly. Hmm... Do you like Ami Mountain?”
At her gentle words, Hyeon Yucheon was the one taken aback this time.
Reflecting, Hyeon Yucheon had focused solely on revenge and people, never once appreciating the scenic beauty of Ami Mountain.
It might seem trivial, but it felt like a blow to the head for Hyeon Yucheon.
“Well, it's not bad.”
“As expected, right?”
“Pardon?”
At words as if she knew him well, Hyeon Yucheon asked back.
“Master Cheon Baek-sang never said it, but he seemed to greatly enjoy this serene scenery.”
Hyeon Yucheon hadn't heard even such minor details, so he was slightly flustered.
Truly a peculiar woman.
As the conversation continued, he felt the initiative slipping away more and more, so Hyeon Yucheon steeled his resolve.
Regardless of her character or cultivation, Biyeon Sinn-i Yeo Unsa-tae had clearly contributed to killing his master.
Thus, she too must sweetly accept the judgment of vengeance.
“Enough with the pleasantries... I've stated why I'm here, so are you prepared?”
Hyeon Yucheon stepped forward, assuming a battle stance as if ready to fight immediately.
Yeon Jeong and the Snow Cloud Seven Fairies recoiled in horror.
They wanted to raise their voices and block his advance, but with the Sa-tae not permitting it, they were in a bind.
“Forgive me, but please wait a moment.”
Instead of facing the battle-ready Hyeon Yucheon, Yeo Unsa-tae asked him to wait and turned toward Yeon Jeong.
What in the world is...
As Hyeon Yucheon began to falter in confusion!
“I won't fight you. No, I can't fight you.”
What did that mean? Then, incredibly!
Looking closely at Yeo Unsa-tae, Hyeon Yucheon sensed no immense inner power or pressure from her as a super peak realm supreme master of the martial world.
In truth, he hadn't noticed immediately because of the faint, gentle aura emanating softly from her entire body.
“Sa-tae, don't tell me...!”
At those words, something flashed through Yeon Jeong's mind.
Her poor health these past few days, her sudden aging—it was all...
Yeon Jeong's guess was confirmed as Yeo Unsa-tae nodded.
Looking back, something had been off.
She had lived healthily her whole life, someone who would enjoy longevity, yet before her hair turned fully white, she was receiving care from a young second-generation disciple and showing uncharacteristic frailty.
“That's right. Using our sect's profound secret art, I sealed all my inner power into a Buddhist Heart Sarira here.”
Swish!
Yeo Unsa-tae then drew a small wooden box from her bosom.
Inside were several sarira beads containing all her inner power, rattling softly.
Sarira were the bead-shaped relics that appeared after the cremation of high monks who had accumulated great achievements and enlightenment.
However, according to a secret technique passed down from the Ami Sect's founding, upon achieving great success in Ami martial arts, one could forge a Buddhist Heart Sarira infused with inner power to pass to successors.
If a successor consumed it, they wouldn't gain all the inner power but over eighty percent.
“Sa-tae!”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“You're still so hale!”
“You must lead our sect from here on!”
There was no free transfer of inner power.
Hadn't Hyeon Yucheon, who inherited everything from the Demon Sword Ghost Old Man, experienced that?
Instead of extracting the Buddhist Heart Sarira in advance, the caster of the technique would not enjoy full lifespan and meet death within a year.
Thus, some called it not Buddhist Heart Sarira but Pre-Death Sarira, sarira before death.
In truth, Yeo Unsa-tae was still vigorous and could have lived another thirty years if she wished, yet chose this path.
It was a gift prepared so that, while receiving vengeance's judgment, she wouldn't leave her successor grieving emptily.
“I have committed a grave sin. Living longer would only be shame and torment for me. Thus... I wished to give this to Yeon Jeong, to whom I gave nothing.”
Having given everything yet claiming to give nothing moved the Snow Cloud Seven Fairies to tears in unison.
It was a scene that could inspire deep emotion, yet Hyeon Yucheon’s heart remained cold.
“Now, I am prepared. With my inner power utterly depleted, I lack the confidence to withstand the Formless Flash Quick Sword, so dispose of me as you wish, Demon Sword Sect Lord.”
Yeo Unsa-tae then spread her arms wide with a face that had transcended all.
From the moment she decided to invite Hyeon Yucheon, everything—from extracting the sarira to settling her mind—was complete.
Tears and sobs filled the surroundings, but Hyeon Yucheon remained unshaken.
“Hmmm.”
He pondered deeply, not taking the enemy's life offered on a platter.
“No, why hesitate?”
To Yeo Unsa-tae's question, Hyeon Yucheon replied in his characteristic indifferent, languid voice.
“I'm not hesitating.”
“Pardon?”
Yeo Unsa-tae let out a rare flustered tone.
She didn't know the Demon Sword Young Master at all.
“Your life is no longer precious to you, is it? So I intend to take what you value more than life.”
Indeed.
That was the reason for Hyeon Yucheon's deliberation.
True revenge was completed by oneself, not others.
“...!!”